Google pays fine over street view privacy breach
by David Streitfeld, New York Times
But for several years the company was also secretly collecting personal information such as e-mails, medical and financial records, and passwords as it cruised by. It was data-scooping from millions of unencrypted wireless networks. Read More ›
Health premium increases meet resistance
by Victoria Colliver, San Francisco Chronicle
Hundreds of thousands of Californians covered by the state’s largest health insurers are facing double-digit premium hikes, and regulators and consumers are pushing back. Read More ›
Feds shut down telemarketing scam aimed at elderly
by Chris Morran, The Consumerist
FTC has gotten the court to shut down a company that used deception and threats to induce elderly consumers to pay for medical alert systems they neither ordered nor wanted.
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California insurance commissioner criticizes Blue Shield for unjust rate hikes
The CA insurance commissioner criticizes Blue Shield for an unjust rate hike which he is currently powerless to stop. There is a chance to change that on the 2014 ballot, which would force insurance companies to justify their rates before hikes can take effect. Read More ›
Cars sold with unfixed recalls?
by Jeff Rossen, Today Show
Buying a used car can be a great money saver, but in a hidden-camera investigation, Jeff Rossen with NBC discovered some dealers are selling cars that may have dangerous safety flaws. Read More ›
State orders Mercury to cut homeowners insurance rates 8.2%
by Marc Lifsher, Los Angeles Times
Mercury, which had originally sought a 7.3% increase, responds by filing a lawsuit seeking to block Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones’ ruling. Read More ›
FCC backs consumers in unlocking cellphones
by Edward Wyatt, New York Times
For a decade consumers have been able to keep their cellphone numbers even if they switched their wireless carriers. The Obama administration and FCC said consumers should be able to switch carriers and keep their actual phones. Read More ›
Airlines introduce new passenger fees
by Hugo MartÃn, Los Angeles Times
Among new airline fees are charges to speed through airport screening gates and board early, watch streaming movies, and have checked bags delivered. Read More ›
Cloud use grows, and so does security threat
by Steve Johnson, San Jose Mercury News
Holding everything from medical and social media material to confidential financial and corporate documents, cloud services are an enormous trove of information that is proving a lure for hackers. Read More ›
Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris urges funding for prescription tracking
by Lisa Girion and Scott Glover, Los Angeles Times
Harris asks California lawmakers to OK funding for a database to identify doctors who recklessly prescribe addictive drugs. Read More ›
Don’t ignore a data breach letter
by Jeff Blyskal, Consumer Reports
Skeptical consumers, take heed: If you receive a notice that your personal data has been breached, pay attention and take free self-help steps to protect yourself from identity fraud. Read More ›
Future water price, availability in question
by Michael Gardner, San Diego Union Tribune
In the coming months California will confront an unusual confluence of challenges that could determine the price and availability of water for decades to come. Read More ›
State political watchdog agency seeks to expand searchable online conflict of interest database
by Tracy Seipel, San Jose Mercury News
“It’s one-stop shopping for all this information on our website,” said Gary Winuk, chief of the FPPC’s enforcement division. “The idea is to hold people accountable.”
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